Dirty Secrets (Pd 2)
“Something is amiss in our global world water supply: Striped bass are succumbing to flesh-eating bacteria in Chesapeake Bay; seabird chicks are starving in Hawai‘i; coral reefs are weakening under a growing assault of invisible contaminants and an increasing variety of aquatic animals are showing signs of developmental disorders. Experts and citizens are racing to find clues to the causes—and the solutions. Find out how we all can make a difference.”


Group 6: Dangerous Brew
· What happened to the favorite coral reef for the diver in the video?
· What has happened to ocean temperatures and what effect does that have on the coral?
· Explain ocean acidification.
· How and why is ocean acidification changing?
· What is predicted by the IPCC for the pH of the ocean in the future? The following website will provide additional information: http://www.pbs.org/strangedays/episodes/dirtysecrets/experts/dangerousbrew.html

Answers for Group 6

Why should we care about coral reefs?



We think we should care about coral reefs because most cities on the coast of the Atlantic and Pacific make a lot of money off tourist because they come to see the coral reefs. If the coral reefs die then the cities that depend on those tourists will profit barely and not make enough money.



1) The favorite coral reef of the divers’, started to turn white because it was becoming bleached, and on the verge of dying.




2) The oceans temperature started to become warmer, and it’s effect on the coral was that it started to become bleached, which was leading to death.



3) Ocean acidification is when carbon dioxide packs another punch in the form of pH.



4) The ocean acidification is changing, because the pH for surface has decreased for 8.25 to 8.14 since the 1800’s. It's changing because when the CO2 on the air mixes with seawater, it formd carbonis acid and in large portions it lowers the ocean's pH.


5) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports if we continue our current rate of 8.14, it’ll drop .04 units by the year 2100.

Another reason why we should care about coral reefs is that it provides a sanctuary and home for a wide variety of ocean life. As the reefs disappear, much of the ecosystem is going to disappear.
70/75 points